ToolKit

Job search is a skill that few job seekers have. Without a systematic plan, time invested can be unproductive and ineffective.

There are only 7 ways to job search. You need to budget time based on the probability of success. You can walk in, call in, mail in, email in, apply in, staffing company in, or network in. Networking is by far the most likely to produce results. Time should be allocated based on probability of success.

Your odds for success are maximized by becoming a Known Candidate applying for an Unposted Job.

When you’re in a job search, this can be the perfect time for self-assessment. Revisiting your strengths, weaknesses, passions and goals can help you to start your job search on the right track and effectively organize and implement a plan of action towards your target career path.

Searching for a job presents many psychological challenges. You are in the difficult position of having to convince the world of what a terrific, positive, energetic person you are, at precisely a time in your life when you might be feeling particularly anxious and insecure. You may be worried about finances or about losing your skill set. As a refugee or immigrant, you may struggle to communicate effectively in English, or you may be confused by some American customs or ways of doing things. It is important not to ignore the emotional toll these challenges can take on you, because you cannot be an effective job applicant if you do not find ways to cope with your feelings.

Please note that these are intended as guidelines only. The exact wording and content of your email should be tailored to each recipient based on specific circumstances.

General Notes:

IF YOU ARE EMAILING, no heading is required. Just be sure you complete the subject line according to any instructions given in the ad; or, if you are not responding to an ad, tailor your subject line carefully to the recipient, and never use all caps or unnecessary punctuation, which could land your email in a spam folder. You want to convey concisely and professionally the purpose of your email.

With extensive experience in graphics coordination, handling trade show logistics, coordinating marketing activities, and skills as a professional photographer, I am uniquely qualified to bring many diverse skills to your organization in the Creative Traffic Manager role.

It has been said, that in today’s online, social, digital world, if you are in a job search and don’t have a LinkedIn profile – you don’t exist. LinkedIn is critical. Many hiring managers and recruiters use only LinkedIn and networking to find potential job candidates. LinkedIn is complex. Here, we will just skim the surface of what you need to know to establish a presence on this critical platform.

It is a good idea to become familiar with the most common types of questions asked during interviews and to know the best ways to answer them. Review the questions and answers below and practice your own responses.

1. Tell me about your weaknesses.

This is one of the most difficult questions that comes up in the interview and it needs to be answered carefully.

A thank you note written to your interviewer can make all the difference in their decision-making process and can remind them of your value as a candidate. Be sure to write a thank you e-mail as soon as possible. Use the sample below to guide your own writing.

Good morning Ms. Harris. My name is Ana Aranibar and I am calling in regards to my application for the Field Engineer position. I am very interested in this opportunity and wanted to inquire as to the timeline for when applications will be reviewed. I appreciate your consideration and can be reached at (832) 555-5555. I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you for your time.

In just a decade, Facebook has changed the world and transformed our lives. It has changed how we live, how we socialize, how we communicate, and our ability to brand ourselves. Today, Facebook is on the brink of having 2 billion users worldwide. It should then come as no surprise that it is also an important element in job searching. Not only can it be used for networking and communications, it is also important to understand that posting the wrong thing or with the wrong privacy settings can haunt you. However, there are strategies and ways to utilize Facebook to your advantage. Below are some tips and considerations.

80% of jobs are found through networking. That means networking is the most critical element of your job search. The vast majority of jobs in your community are secured through connecting with others. Create this opportunity for yourself by combining personal networking with online networking. This powerful approach to searching for a job will lead to a higher likelihood of finding employment.

Myth: Changing jobs frequently is an indication of instability and lacking job loyalty.

Truth: It used to be the case that having many positions in a short amount of time – or job “hopping” as it’s usually termed – indicated that a candidate could not make up their mind or was unreliable. However, today, with increased mobility among employees, employers understand that many candidates decide to explore different industries and use their transferrable skills to change jobs more frequently to stay challenged. This and other reasons, such as taking time off to travel, dealing with family emergencies or going back to school, are increasingly becoming more acceptable for employers. Just make sure to address any concerns the employer may have during the interview.

According to a report by the Greater Houston Partnership, the city of Houston will create close to 29,700 new jobs this year. While still lower than job growth rates in 2014, Houston’s economic downturn is slowly reversing course, with the price of oil climbing back up. Compared to many other large cities in the country, Houston is doing relatively well; for example, when oil prices dropped and job creation slowed from 2014 into 2016, Houston’s unemployment rate remained steady, just shy of 6%. In addition, the city witnessed growth in industries such as health care and hospitality. In general, analysts agree that though Houston underwent a slowdown in job growth, it is currently in the recovery stage; with job growth projected to pick-up during the next few years. Here is a summary of the three industries that added the most jobs from January 2016 to January 2017.

There are several resources that can help you better define your career path and identify varying career options. When initially looking for jobs, it’s important to be flexible and keep your options open, particularly since many positions are acquired through networking and it will take some time to build your network here and find your desired position. Here are some ways to begin researching different career paths and options.

Being without a job can be a stressful and emotional dilemma. However, it can also be a blessing in disguise. Why you may ask? Time. Not having to be at work every day means you have a lot more time on your hands than you did before. And this opens the door to new possibilities and opportunities. Why not use part of this newly acquired asset to enhance the most important thing you have going for you in your job search - you.

If you can go without paid work, volunteering is a great way to expand your network and make contacts that may be able to be your references in the future. Volunteering can help you avoid having gaps on your resume, build up your experience and sharpen your skills, and apply your knowledge while you’re searching for a paid opportunity.

Short-term employment assignments, where employers need an employee for a specified amount of time, are called temporary or contract work. These positions can be a good opportunity to meet people and make contacts. Sometimes, though not frequently, temporary or contact work can turn into full-time opportunities. This guide offers an overview of the two types of work.

Professional and social organizations are groups of people that come together based on a common interest or hobby. Becoming a member in a professional and social organization is a great way to network and connect with people. Typically, professional and social organizations have an online home, such as a website, Facebook page or forum, where communities can share ideas and stay in contact and will hold events to allow their members to interact in-person more frequently. The guide below is meant to provide an overview of the process of joining professional and social organizations in Houston.

Identify your top 10 organizations and begin researching basic information about them including size, location, products and services, history, financials, and mission/vision statement. Use resources such as the organization’s website, LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and news articles.

Hello! My name is Juan Aranibar and I recently moved to the Houston area. I'm focusing my job search in the software development field and worked for three years in this field in Cuba. I worked in the financial services industry and helped to develop software for banks and financial institutions. I noticed that your company is focused on developing software in this industry and is looking for a developer. Can you tell me more about this opportunity?